From Stromness, you can travel by ferry to the nearby islands of Graemsay and Hoy, or, for those without transport, take advantage of the regular bus services to and from the town. Click here for details.

"Pearl of the North! I will tell all my friends...."Liz and Claire Roman, Brighton, England

About Stromness

Around sixteen miles to the west of Kirkwall is the town of Stromness.

Orkney's second main town, Stromness lies on the south western tip of the Orkney Mainland, clustered tightly along the shore of Hamnavoe, beneath a rocky ridge known as Brinkie's Brae.

Arriving in Orkney from Scrabster, on the Scottish mainland, Stromness is the first port of call. Gliding into the sheltered harbour, the visitor is greeted by a view that has met seafarers for centuries.

The first impression of Stromness is that of an old traditional stone built port, nestling comfortably against the hillside of Brinkie's Brae.

Not as old as Kirkwall, Stromness flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries as a result of increased trade with the New World.